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Tag: All India Radio

  • Govt panel discusses autonomous Prasar’s ‘outreach’ funding from external affairs ministry

    Govt panel discusses autonomous Prasar’s ‘outreach’ funding from external affairs ministry

    NEW DELHI: With the central government laying emphasis on its external relations, particularly with neighbouring countries, the Standing Advisory Committee of All-India Radio has decided to work in tandem with the external affairs ministry with regard to reaching out to other countries through its broadcast services.

    The Committee, which met recently after 34 years (the last meeting was in 1983) and for the first time after Prasar Bharati came into being in 1997, took various decisions which will enable greater interaction between the external affairs ministry and the pubcaster.

    AIR external services director Amlanjyoti Mazumdar told Indiantelevision.com that the meeting, held at the initiative of AIR, was chaired by the ministry of information and broadcasting additional secretary Jayashree Mukherjee though the committee is headed by the MIB secretary.

    The committee was “revived and reconstituted” as part of the revamping process of the External Services Division (ESD) of the public broadcaster.

    The committee represents various stakeholders of public diplomacy like ministries of external affairs and home affairs as well as the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR).

    Mazumdar said that under Section 12(4) of the Prasar Bharati Act 1990, the ESD has to be funded by the external affairs ministry. However, ESD has, so far, been funded through internal resources of the pubcaster. This matter was also taken up at the meeting, where it was clearly stated that channels like Voice of America or Germany’s Deutsche Welle or the external services of Canada were funded by the foreign affairs departments of those countries.

    Mazumdar said the issue was never raised when the government was funding All-India Radio and Doordarshan, but had become important after Prasar Bharati came into being as an autonomous organisation.

    One of the issues discussed in the meeting was how to counter the increasing penetration of foreign radio broadcast in the country, particularly in the north eastern states, sources said.

    It was pointed out that, at a time when the government is keen to reach out to the neighbouring countries, AIR did not have a service for Bhutan.

    A strategy for broadcasting outside India like in Myanmar and Tibetan Autonomous Region was also discussed during the meeting, they said.

    The role of Indian missions abroad to enrich the programme with country-specific inputs was also discussed in the meeting, the sources added.

  • Govt urges TV and radio channels to publicise ‘Swachhta’ campaign

    Govt urges TV and radio channels to publicise ‘Swachhta’ campaign

    NEW DELHI: Private television and FM channels and radio stations have been requested to give adequate attention to the ‘Swachhta ki Seva’ campaign launched by the prime minister Narendra Modi in his ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcast on 27 August 2017.

    “Keeping in view the public interest and importance of the matter,” the ministry of information and broadcasting has requested the media to “build the idea of the campaign in their programming so as to bring the message home to the maximum viewers.”

    In his broadcast on All-India Radio, Modi had called upon the nation to undertake the SHS campaign from 15 September 2017, culminating on Gandhi Jayanti, that is, on 2 October 2017.

    The aim of the campaign, he said, was to intensify the focus on cleanliness and create an environment of cleanliness across the country in the spirit of a ‘Jan Andolan’ (public movement).

    The ministry, in its request, said: “(The) media has a strong social and cultural impact on (the) society because of its inherent ability to reach out (to) a large number of people in the shortest possible time. (The) media, therefore, can play an important role in building public opinion and awareness in favour of the campaign.”

    The request was sent to seven different organisations of TV, FM and community radio channels. These are: News Broadcasters Association (NBA), the Indian Broadcasting Foundation (lBF), Association of Regional Television Broadcasters of India, Association of Radio Operators for India (AROI), Community Radio Association (CRA), Federation of Community Radio Stations (FCRS), and Community Radio Forum of India.

  • DD logo design submission deadline extended

    NEW DELHI: The deadline for submission of logo design for India’s pubcaster Doordarshan has been extended by a week to 20 August 2017, the Prasar Bharati CEO Shashi Shekhar Vempati said yesterday.

    Doordarshan (DD), using the current logo since 1959, had floated a logo design contest, the winner of which would get a cash prize of Rs 100,000.

    “Deadline for a new logo for Doordarshan was extended till the 20th of August in response to many requests,” PTI quoted Vempati as saying in a tweet. The last date for submitting the logo design was August 13.

    With the new logo, the broadcaster seeks to connect aggressively with the youth while preserving the “nostalgia” associated with the DD brand. Prasar Bharati runs Doordarshan, which broadcasts 23 TV channels across the country and All India Radio (AIR).

    ALSO READ:

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  • Prasar Bharati finds transmitter tenders plaint unsubstantiated

    NEW DELHI: Pubcaster Prasar Bharati, after an investigation, found the allegations regarding the purchase of transmitters by All-India Radio are unsubstantiated, the Parliament has been told.

    Minister of state for information and broadcasting Rajyavardhan Rathore said the complaint was received in this ministry on 7 October 2015. It was sent to Prasar Bharati for further inquiry, he said.

    It is the endeavour of the government to ensure that the tendering process is conducted as per GFR, 2005/2017.

    The government is also implementing e-tendering process for procurement of various goods and services to obtain the most competitive and suitable bids.

    AlsO Read :

    Doordarshan & AIR’s combined news ops may be lead by a D-G

    Mann ki Baat ten-second ad rate is Rs 200,000

    TRAI for pvt players in DTT, suggests capping of transmitters

    After DTT, TRAI launches exercise on digital radio broadcasting

     

  • Talent shortage in Prasar, manpower audit under way, admits Irani

    NEW DELHI: Admitting there was an overall shortage of talent in Prasar Bharati, minister of information and broadcasting Smriti Zubin Irani said a manpower audit was in progress in this regard by the pubcaster.

    Answering a question in the Parliament, she said several sanctioned posts were lying vacant. She said that audit being done on the recommendation of the Sam Pitroda Committee report, was expected to be completed during 2017-18.

    Earlier this year, a Parliamentary Committee had said that minimal action had been taken on the report submitted in February 2014 to revitalize Prasar Bharati.

    The Committee also noted that the Department of Expenditure has expressed inability to undertake the work of man power audit despite assurances in reply to several questions in Parliament.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to I and B Ministry recommended that the terms for reference for conduct of manpower audit be worked out and the manpower audit which is critical to both All India Radio and Doordarshan completed within the current financial year 2017-18 as assured to the Committee.

    It noted that the Ministry had asked Prasar Bharati to prepare an action plan on the 26 recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee.

    The Parliamentary Committee expressed concern that ‘there is no progress in the issue of man power audit’.

    When Prasar Bharati was suggested to explore the feasibility of manpower audit through some reputed public/private agencies, the Internal Finance Division advised for pre-determination of terms of reference for conduct of manpower audit before inviting quotations from reputed audit organization.

    But the Committee noted that Prasar Bharati was yet to take a decision in the matter. “The Committee need not emphasise that manpower related issues have time and again affected the efficiency and performance of the organization. Prasar Bharati in order to achieve its vision and compete with private broadcasters needs to attract, retain and develop talent in the organization. It needs to respond to changing market conditions and make an assessment of its manpower requirement to overcome the competency gaps”, the Committee said.

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    IIS overhaul & DD RNUs to focus on regional infra & local content

    Star to focus on school-level games via FTA sports channel

     

  • Govt launches ‘selfie with daughter’ mobile app

    NEW DELHI: A new mobile app to shoot ‘Selfie with Daughter’, carrying forward a message given by the prime minister Narendra Modi in one of his ‘Mann ki Baat’ broadcasts on All India Radio, was launched in the capital by the president Pranab Mukherjee.

    The president hailed Sunil Jaglan not just on the launch of the mobile-app but on carrying on a campaign in this regard in Haryana.

    Selfie-with-Daughter has become a worldwide movement against female foeticide and sex selection. He hoped that this would eventually help in dealing with the problems arising out of gender imbalance.

    Mukherjee said the app is an innovative concept and an act of gentle persuasion. He urged people to take photographs with their daughters and upload on the app to make the campaign a success.

    The ‘Selfie with Daughter’ campaign was started by Sunil Jaglan in June 2015 in village Bibipur, Jind, Haryana. A former sarpanch, Jaglan has been working in the field of women empowerment and village development. The aim of the campaign is to motivate the society to feel proud to be parents of a girl child which will result in improving the sex ratio in India.

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  • Live ICC Champions broadcast & digital reach to be 2.10 billion

    MUMBAI: The ICC has announced the ICC Champions Trophy 2017 will be broadcast to more than 200 territories across five continents with an anticipated reach of more than two billion people, thanks to expanded syndication and licensing deals by ICC’s global media rights partner, Star Sports. In 146 countries fans will be able to watch the coverage via traditional broadcast whilst the digital broadcast coverage is available in more than 200 countries.

    The event, which will be staged at the Cardiff Wales Stadium, Edgbaston and The Oval from 1-18 June, will for the first time be broadcast live into China, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia via Fox Network Group.

    Also, in a major coup for U.K based fans, cricket returns to the BBC after 6 years, with a daily one-hour highlights show being transmitted throughout the tournament by the British public service broadcaster. And for the first time ever, fans in Continental Europe and Japan can watch the event live via ICC’s Facebook page.

    Viewers in India will get a choice of following the coverage via Star Sports in English, Hindi and Tamil.

    The ICC will also be continuing its long-term partnerships with various broadcast partners including Star (India and the rest of the Indian Sub-continent), Sky Sports (United Kingdom & Republic of Ireland), SuperSport (South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa), OSN (Middle East & North Africa). Fox Sports (Australia), Willow TV (USA), Sky TV (New Zealand), Ten Sports (Pakistan), ESPN (Caribbean), Gazi TV, Maasranga and BTV (all Bangladesh), SLRC (Sri Lanka) Fox Network Group (China and Asian Sub-continent), ATN (Canada) and Moby TV (Afghanistan).

    Digital streaming is playing an increasing role in enabling cricket fans to view ICC events and Star Sports’ Hotstar platform is leading the charge. Coverage via Hotstar will be available in India, Indian subcontinent, Central Asia and the Pacific Islands amongst other territories.

     ICC continues to revolutionise the digital fan experience.

    In addition, a new partnership has been formed with Yupp TV for Canada and Continental Europe who join existing platforms, ESPN and Willow in South America, Sky Go (United Kingdom), Foxtel Sports (Australia), OSN Play in Middle East & North Africa and Fan Pass (New Zealand).

    From an audio-only perspective, a full complement of licensees will supplement live TV Broadcast coverage including joint production between Channel 2 and talkSPORT for all matches, with this coverage being available at icc-cricket.com and on the ICC App.

    Other audio licensees include Radio 4 (MENA), BBC (United Kingdom), All India Radio (India), SABC (South Africa), SLBC (Sri Lanka), ABC (Australia) and Avenue (Pakistan).

    A full list of broadcast and audio outlets is available here.
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/news/404069

    Online, the ICC continues to revolutionise the digital fan experience by licensing short form clips. Short-form video clips of ICC Champions Trophy match action, highlights and event content has been licensed to 12 digital clip partners covering more than 180 countries.  

    Clips covering up to six minutes per hour of in-match content – as well as match previews, media conferences, highlights packages and event features – will be provided to websites, smartphone apps and other digital properties with a focus on mobile.

    More than 100 million cumulative clip views are anticipated as ICC enters the digital video space across a number of identified growth markets.

    Following the success of ICC World Twenty20 2016, the ICC continues its near-live digital clip partnership with BBC (UK & Republic of Ireland), ESPN (UK and Australia), Hotstar (India), Cricbuzz (US & Canada), Khaleef (Pakistan), Dialog (Sri Lanka), Cricketgateway (SE Asia & Australia), Bongo (Bangladesh & SE Asia).

    New partnerships have also been formed with OSN (Middle East & North Africa) and Channel 2 Group (Europe, Australia, Sub-Saharan Africa, UK, South East Asia & the Caribbean).

    A full list of the official digital clips licensees can be found here.
    https://www.icc-cricket.com/champions-trophy/news/404326

    News access partnerships with Perform and SNTV for all matches with Reuters for the Semi Finals and Final to distribute 90-second news clips, at the conclusion of each match for 24-hours.

    Speaking on the broadcast and digital reach for the tournament, ICC Chief Executive, David Richardson, said: ““The ICC is committed to continuing to making cricket one of the most viewed sports globally and we would like to thank global broadcast partner, Star Sports, its licensees and other media rights and digital partners for taking the coverage of the ICC Champions Trophy far and wide. We aim to offer fans credible, informative and engaging content, attracting a huge global audience, across all platforms with both long form and short form content.

    “Our on-the ground ICC TV team will help tell the story, build heroes and connect with the fans. We want to continue our growth in the digital space and ensure fans are at the very heart of the experience we are delivering”.

     

  • Sam Pitroda report on Prasar Bharati revamp caught in legal wrangles

    NEW DELHI: Not only has minimal action been taken on the Sam Pitroda Committee report of February 2014 to revitalise Prasar Bharati, the Department of Expenditure has expressed its inability to undertake the work of man power audit despite assurances in reply to several questions in the Parliament.

    Little or no action on manpower audit

    A Parliamentary Committee has now recommended that the terms for reference for conduct of manpower audit be worked out and the manpower audit which is critical to both All India Radio and Doordarshan completed within the current financial year 2017-18 as assured to the Committee.

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry has noted that the Ministry had asked Prasar Bharati to prepare an action plan on the 26 recommendations of the Sam Pitroda Committee.

    The Parliamentary Committee has expressed concern that ‘there is no progress in the  on the issue of man power audit’.

    When Prasar Bharati was suggested to explore the feasibility of manpower audit through some reputed public/private agencies, the Internal Finance Division advised for pre-determination of terms of reference for conduct of manpower audit before inviting quotations from reputed audit organization.

    But the Committee noted that Prasar Bharati was yet to take a decision in the matter.

    “The Committee need not emphasise that manpower related issues have time and again affected the efficiency and performance of the organization. Prasar Bharati in order to achieve its vision and compete with private broadcasters needs to attract, retain and develop talent in the organization. It needs to respond to changing market conditions and make an assessment of its manpower requirement to overcome the competency gaps”, the Committee said.

    Transfer of AIR, DD assets to Prasar Bharati held up by legal wrangles

    Furthermore, Prasar Bharati has not provided complete inventorisation of assets with regard to the recommendation of transfer of assets. The Parliamentary Committee noted that the Ministry had advised Prasar Bharati to complete inventorisation of assets.

    The Ministry has recommended that the Law Ministry propose to issue notification whereby all the movable assets of AIR/DD may be transferred to Prasar Bharati on lease basis/non-alienable basis and all movable assets are so transferred without any restriction on availability or disposal.

    The Law Ministry’s Legislative Department has suggested that properties vested with the Central Government already stands transferred to Prasar Bharati with the commencement of the Prasar Bharati Act 1997 and there is no enabling provision to issue a notification for transfer of properties and assets which will dilute the provision of the Act.

    However, the Central Government may determine the terms and conditions of transfer of properties and assets which can be set by issue of an executive order.

    The Ministry has informed that the terms and conditions of transfer of properties and assets are being finalized in consultation with Department of Legal Affairs.

    The Committee is of the view that once Prasar Bharati owns its assets, it can go for selective monetisation of idle assets and generate much needed revenue. The Committee has recommended to the I and B Ministry to complete the exercise in a time bound manner and apprise them of the progress in the matter.

     

  • Parliamentary panel pans DD, AIR for recurring lapses

    NEW DELHI: Expressing disappointment that both, All-India Radio and Doordarshan, failed to use the amounts allocated under the budget for 2016-17, a Parliamentary Committee stated: “Concrete steps may be taken to resolve all longstanding administrative issues.”

    The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology, which also examines issues relating to the information and broadcasting ministry, recommended that Doordarshan and All-India Radio need to make sincere and sustained efforts in creating high-quality content that can connect with people coupled with strong marketing strategy.

    Need to address recurring structural and procedural issues

    Keeping in view the financial performance of AIR and DD during 2016-17, the Committee stated that it was inclined to conclude that the under-utilisation of funds could have been avoided had the Ministry addressed the recurring structural and procedural issues.

    The Committee felt that this has reflected poorly on the overall performance of Prasar Bharati which is also evident from the reduced fund allocation for both, AIR and DD in 2017-18.

    To boost the performance of AIR and Doordarshan, the administrative problems as well as implementation related issues need to be resolved on priority. The Committee are of the firm opinion that unless these administrative and implementation related issues are addressed on priority, there is bleak scope for desired performance in the spheres of AIR and Doordarshan.

    Emphasis on promotion of DD/AIR Archives

    It noted that both AIR and DD have rich archives including biographies and old speeches of eminent persons which should be made use for qualitative content.

    Apart from generating revenue for Prasar Bharati, this will motivate young generation and expose them to the rich heritage of the country.

    AIR financial and physical performance

    The Committee noted that All India Radio had has been able to spend Rs 1.0827 billion which was only 61.17% of the allocated fund of Rs 1.77 billion at Budgetary Estimates and Revised Estimates stage for the year 2016-17.

    The Committee noted that for the year 2017-18, the budgetary allocation for AIR has been reduced from Rs 1.77 billion to Rs 1.54 billion

    The Ministry attributed improper response against major tenders, delay in delivery of a major imported consignment and some other administrative reasons for this under-utilisation. The Ministry said there had been acute shortage of staff in AIR at all levels particularly at middle and lower professional levels; and the transition from Government organization to corporate sector has witnessed almost a complete halt on recruitments, training and promotions.

    As far as acquisition of land for new setups is concerned, the Ministry proposes taking up the matter with respective state Governments for speedy disposal of the issues. The Ministry have also apprised that some Schemes are not implemented in time due to local issues including law and order particularly in the north east regions and border areas.

    However, AIR has increased the total number of transmitters from 432 (MW-148, SW-48, FM-236) as on 31 March 2012 to 610 (MW-143, SW-48, FM-419) which include 195 100 W FM Transmitters as on 10 February 2017.

    DD financial and physical performance

    Similarly, Doordarshan has spent only Rs 1.7655 billion which is only 65% of the allocated fund of Rs. 2.73 billion at BE and RE stage for 2016-17.

    As a result, the allocation for Doordarshan has been reduced from Rs 2.21 billion to Rs 2.13 billion

    The Ministry has cited cancellation of tenders due to administrative/technical issues to be the reasons for this under-utilisation.

    Doordarshan during 2016-17 completed technical facility for launch of the new TV Channel “DD Arun Prabha”; placed orders for implementation of Indian CAS (iCAS); for its DTH platform Free Dish; the Multichannel Automated Playback facility set up and installation of Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format are in progress at Central Production Centre in Delhi; the old ageing HPT replaced by new 10 KW HPT at one location; and completed all towers of Prasar Bharati House. (In fact, Prasar Bharati and Doordarshan are now housed in the same premises.)

  • Need for outcome analysis on utility of Kisan Channel: Parl Committee

    NEW DELHI: A proper outcome analysis on the grassroots impact of the Kisan Channel be conducted, in order to determine how the content of the Channel is actually benefitting farmers, a Parliamentary Committee has said.

    While fully supporting the initiative of the Kisan Channel, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology which also examines issues relating to Information and Broadcasting Ministry said that since the allocation under the Scheme has increased during 2017-18 from Rs 600 million to Rs 800 million, the Committee would like to be apprised of the new achievements of the Ministry under the Scheme.

    The Scheme of Kisan Channel was approved in the year 2014-15, with an initial allocation of Rs One Billion – Rs 900 million for Doordarshan and Rs 100 million for All India Radio.

    The Committee noted that the major assets created at Central Production Centre, Delhi for Kisan channel during 2016-17 were Multichannel Automated Playback facility and Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format; Collaborative Non-Linear Post Production facility in HDTV format; and XDCAM Camcorders, Recorders/ Decks, NLE, Camera support system, Zoom Lens.

    The Ministry has set the target of creating major assets under the Scheme during 2017-18 which are: Earth station at CPC, Delhi; and Field production equipment at 18 Regional Kendras. A Multi Camera Studio Production facility in HDTV format at CPC Delhi has also been ordered.

    During the year 2016-2017 new initiatives were also undertaken to improve quality and make more field-based, interactive and interesting programmes. Evaluation of existing programs is also being carried out. A content preview committee has been put in place. A system of regular review of programme has also been put in place so that further improvement can be made.

    Programmes are now being made in all the States in the Hindi belt, including Punjab, Gujarat, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, etc. so as to make the channel more inclusive.

    The Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) is providing real time TRP rating of each programme telecast on Kisan Channel to assess feedback of programme.

    Noting that the Ministry is putting earnest efforts to make Kisan Channel a priority among rural farmer community, the Committee noted that for the year 2016-17 only Rs 390 million as on 31 January 2017 had been spent out of Rs 600 million allocated for the Scheme under Budget estimates and revised estimates 2016-17.

    Taking note of the submission of the Ministry that they will be able to utilize the entire amount, the Committee wanted to be apprised of the actual expenditure incurred under the Scheme during 2016-17.

    The Committee stressed that the Ministry should expand the outreach of Kisan Channel beyond Hindi belt states to cover Southern and North-Eastern states as well.